This was it, this was the best weekend in the outdoors that I have ever spent in my entire life. I don't know what I did to deserve this weekend, but thank god for it. It's hard to explain, but you'll understand here shortly. Left Seattle at around 0800 (didn't bode well with me as I wanted to leave way earlier) and got to the FS road around 1030. Now the road is about 15 miles long, but the problem is the potholes and the washboards that you have to watch out for, which means it takes another hour to get to the TH because you're only going about 15 mph. Also there is a creek that you have to ford in your rig, our little Subaru Impreza hatchback did it just fine, water just barely covers the exhaust pipe up. Got to the TH at about 1130-1145 and headed out, you cross a bridge immediately and then start a slow climb up into some switchbacks for about the first 3-ish miles, eventually topping out and coming across Squaw Lake. My girlfriend and I decided this was a good place for a powerbar and a break, so we dumped the packs and sat down for 10-15 mins to just soak in the relaxation. The trout were active that day and you could see them everywhere. The coolest part of this break was when the butterfly landed on my girlfriends knee, she had never had that happen and to see the look of enjoyment on her face was priceless, it was a really awesome nature moment that I'll never forget. Anyhow, we loaded up and headed out, now just a warning to those who haven't hiked this trail before, this is where the real hiking starts. The switchbacks become more frequent the grade of the trail increases and you start huffing that's for sure. Eventually you get a small break and get to walk through a really awesome meadow for a half mile or so (i bet its even better in June right after the flowers start blooming). At the back end you get some pretty wicked awesome views of Cathedral Rock (which has been hiding since the parking lot) and you'll meet up with the PCT for a short while. You go up just a smidgen more and you'll come across a network of trails...they all go to the right, so just bear right and you'll be fine. Now you'll walk for another 100 yards or so coming down from Cathedral Pass and there is one more split, the left goes to Deep Lake the right goes to Peggy's Pond. Our destination was Peggy's Pond so that's the way we went, now just a warning the trail is haphazardly sketched out of a scree slope and rock, there are a few SAD sections (slip and die) but so long as you just lean into the rock and make sure of your footing you'll be fine, also there's like two spots where you can lose the trial for a second, to remedy this just look out for the cairns, they led us the right way while the couple ahead of us got stuck and had to turn around to get back to the trail. This whole time you spend basically billy-goating your way across the back end of the Rock you're treated with one of the most breathtaking views of Deep Lake and Mt. Daniel and just a valley floor you'll ever see. Finally you round it out and head about 200 yards STRAIGHT UP no switchbacks, up the hill. Right when you think you're going to die, the pond pops out and you're sitting in a high saddle with sky blue clear water and just stunning views all around. This is where my favorite part came into play. We picked out a spot to set up camp on the back end away from the shoreline tucked into this little tree cove beside the trail. After dumping my pack and helping my girlfriend with hers, I set up the tripod and camera and asked her to go stand in front of the Pond and Cathedral Rock so I could take a picture of us. What she didn't know is that I set the camera up to record, and then I proceeded to ask for her hand in marriage in which SHE SAID YES!!! After much confusion from the exhaustion and a few tears from her, she finally got it to sink in that we were now engaged and we spent our first night as an engaged couple under the stars. It was a picture perfect night, the moon was full and there weren't any clouds, the temperature was a perfect 70 degrees..It was everything and more. BEST WEEKEND OF MY LIFE! Haha....I'm pretty sure it was the best weekend of hers too, at least I hope!

Howdy all, Just a quick warning, about 1 mile from trailhead, I got 3 stings from (yellowjackets?), the hiking group in front and behind us also had stings, all within a 25 minute span, seemingly without provoking the hive/nest. In case you might be allergic, I wanted you to know. FYI: my hiking partner did not get stung, even though right behind me. We learned that the group just ahead of us by about 5 minutes also had 1 person and 1 dog both get multiple stings (out of 5 people, 2 dogs total). The group behind us tried to go off trail to avoid the (wasps?), only to find a nest on the ground, and 1 person of 3 get stung. That said, once I'd run away, and swatted them off, I waited about 15 minutes to see if the stings were getting worse, they did not. Despite some minor pain, we went on. After that, on up to Squaw Lake, views of Cathedral Rock and Deep Lake, and Peggy's Pond. The stings have a minor glow and/or pinching sensation still about 12 hours later, but I'm fine.

I decided to climb Mt. Daniel and thought I'd check out Marmot/Jade lakes along the way so made a loop out of it and climbed the Lynch Glacier of Daniel. NOTE: This is an off-trail seldom-traveled route that goes down to Peasoup Lake and up to Daniels; there are class-3 scrambles and glacier travel with crevasses. The trail to Marmot is great, though there's an old avalanche/blowdown mess on the other side of Deception Pass. Look for the made-made branch formation up the meadow a ways for the trail. The trail to Jade is steep and requires the use of hands. The trek up to Dip Top Gap is a long slog with crampons, including a terrifying traverse on loose scree. Made a bivy shelter up on the gap and slept there. Getting down to Peasoup, you really need to stay high (drop maybe 100ft below the obvious rock outcropping), then traverse until you can downclimb the class-3 ridge above the outlet. Cross outlet, class 3 slabs up to Lynch, then ascend weaving around several crevasses. The descent of Daniels took awhile.. Peggy's Pond was empty and beautiful but couldn't be enjoyed for all the bugs. Squaw was better but still buggy. This trail is in great shape. Some steep/exposed terrain under Cathedral Rock near the pond, esp. considering it's a popular hike! All-in-all, a much needed get-away from everything.

Snow on the trail. Our attempt was to day hike Trail 1345 to Cathedral Rock and we turned back before making it to Squaw Lake. The trail is still covered with snow at around the 2.5 mile marker (4500 ft) where the trail splits into trail 1322 and trail 1345. We met some guys coming down who spent the night at Squaw and said you needed to be an orienteer to actually make it to Cathedral Rock... as the trail is completely covered. Lots of melting going on, which made the trail below Squaw quite muddy. The drive in on Fish Lake Road is bumpy and full of potholes and there is a stream that crosses the road. We were able to cross it in a Toyota mini van... but only after watching a few others do it. I recommend all wheel vehicles or sturdy autos for this back road trip of 11 - 14 miles to the Tucquala Trailhead.

The hike to Squaw Lake is fairly easy, if almost entirely uphill. The final half mile is flat. For most of the trip, you are in a forest with few opportunities to see any views of the surrounding mountains. Once you reach the top of the hill, the vistas open and the lake itself is beautiful. This is a relatively easy hike and was chosen because my wife was recovering from a sprained ankle at the time of the hike. She had no problems. The major issue is the road from the end of the tarmac to the trail head. It is in horrible condition. Be prepared for eleven miles of teeth rattling ruts and potholes.